This month’s interview with Noam Chomsky is part of PLN’s ongoing series of interviews with notable people who have diverse views of the U.S. criminal justice system. Prior interviews have been conducted with well-known actor Danny Trejo, media mogul and millionaire Conrad Black, and wrongfully convicted former prisoner Jeff Deskovic. We hope that these interviews serve to further what passes for discussion and debate on this country’s criminal justice system in general and prisons in particular.

We still need to expand our circulation in order to keep our subscription rates as low as possible; since most publishing-related costs are fixed, the higher our circulation the lower our per-issue expenses for things like printing, postage and layout, which helps keep our costs – and thus our subscription rates – low.

How can you help? First, you can subscribe to PLN for four years and get a copy of The Habeas Citebook: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel for free! This $49.95 value is yours if you subscribe for four years or extend your existing subscription for four years. Second, if you know someone who would benefit from PLN, purchase a gift subscription for them. PLN makes a great gift, especially for friends or family members who are incarcerated.

If you write to PLN, please try to be as concise as possible as our office staff is limited and it saves time if you can let us know the purpose of your letter in the opening paragraph. We are always interested in reporting lawsuit wins by prisoners, including verdicts, settlements and judgments, so let us know when you prevail in a case. Informing us that you have filed a lawsuit is not useful until there has been a ruling on the merits, at a minimum.

Lastly, look in this issue of PLN for full-page ads for the Washington Prison Phone Justice Campaign and how you can take action on prison phone contracts in other states that are up for renewal or re-bids. PLN and our parent organization, the Human Rights Defense Center, continue to advocate for lower phone rates and reform of the prison phone industry.

Enjoy this issue of PLN and please consider renewing your subscription or purchasing gift subscriptions for others who are interested in criminal justice-related issues.

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